Personal attacks | Task related attacks |
| Belittling remarks – undermining integrity – lies being told – sense of judgement questioned – opinions marginalised | Giving unachievable tasks – impossible deadlines – unmanageable workloads – overloading – ‘setting up to fail’ |
Ignoring – excluding – silent treatment – isolating | Meaningless tasks – unpleasant jobs – belittling a person’s ability – undermining |
Attacking a person’s beliefs, attitude, lifestyle or appearance – gender references – accusations of being mentally disturbed | Withholding or concealing information – information goes missing – failing to return calls or pass on messages |
Ridiculing – insulting – teasing – jokes – ‘funny surprises’ – sarcasm | Undervaluing contribution – no credit where it’s due – taking credit for work that’s not their own |
Shouted or yelled at | Constant criticism of work |
Threats of violence | Underwork – working below competence – removing responsibility – demotion |
Insulting comments about private life | Unreasonable or inappropriate monitoring |
Physical attacks | Offensive sanctions – eg denying leave |
Public humiliation | Excluding – isolating – ignoring views |
Persistent and/or public criticism | Changing goalposts or targets |
Using obscene or offensive language, gestures, material | Not giving enough training or resources |
Ganging up – colleagues/clients encouraged to criticise you or spy on you – witch hunt – dirty tricks campaign – singled out | Reducing opportunities for expression – interrupting when speaking |
Intimidation – acting in a condescending manner | Sabotage or ambushing |
Intruding on privacy, eg spying, stalking, harassed by calls when on leave or at weekends | Supplying incorrect or unclear information |
Verbal abuse | Making hints or threats about job security |
| Inaccurate accusation | No support from manager |
Suggestive glances, gestures, or dirty looks | Scapegoating |
Tampering with personal effects – theft – destruction of property | Denial of opportunity |
Encouraged to feel guilty | Judging wrongly |
| Forced or unjustified disciplinary hearings |
| Lack of role clarity |
| Not trusting |